Sports Network's I-AA Positional Rankings

[JMU Duke Dog]

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=/cfoot2/news/AGN3959059.htm

From JMU...


Offensive Guard
3. Matt Magerko, James Madison (Sr., 6-0, 290) - Magerko was a key cog in JMU’s run to the title a year ago, and the second-team Atlantic 10 pick is the top returning player on the Dukes’ line.

Offensive Tackle
8. Corey Davis, James Madison (Jr., 6-4, 360) - The 360-pound Davis bowled over opponents as the Dukes ran their way to the national championship.

Defensive Tackle
9. Frank Cobbs, James Madison (Sr., 6-1, 260) - Cobbs moved to defensive tackle after spending time at DE and fullback, and flourished with 47 tackles and five sacks last year.

Safety
3. Tony LeZotte, James Madison (So., 6-0, 190) - LeZotte averaged nearly 10 tackles per game as a freshman (144 in 15 games) and has the ability to repeat that success in his sophomore campaign.

[OL FU]

and from Furman

Center
5. Corey Stewart, Furman (Sr., 6-2, 280) - Stewart anchors a strong offensive line for a Furman team that is proficient running and passing.

O Guards
6. Patrick Covington, Furman (Sr., 6-3, 290) - Along with Stewart, Covington brings an imposing presence on the interior of the Paladins’ offensive line.

D Ends
6. Roy Ravenell, Furman (Jr., 6-1, 260) - Ravenell (75 tackles, 6.5 sacks) leads an inexperienced defensive front for the Paladins.

Linebackers
1. William Freeman, Furman (Sr., 6-2, 220) - Freeman had a huge season with 100 tackles and 9.5 tackles for a loss, and could see those numbers skyrocket as a senior.

[ccujacket]

Offensive Tackles
10. Antwon Trice, Coastal Carolina (Sr., 6-6, 300) - Trice was a big reason the Chanticleers ran all over opponents on their way to a 10-1 record.

Linebackers
15. Maurice Simpkins, Coastal Carolina (Sr., 6-1, 230) - Simpkins earned his second consecutive first team Big South honor by tallying 78 tackles and five sacks for the Chanticleers.

Safeties
8. Quinton Teal, Coastal Carolina (Sr., 6-1, 190) - Teal sparkled in the secondary with six interceptions and 12 pass breakups, and also notched 50 tackles in a 10-1 campaign for the Chanticleers.

[Josh]

I-AA Positional Rankings
by Matt Dougherty, Executive Director of I-AA Football

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - After last year’s national championship victory, James Madison’s offensive line earned the bountiful praise usually reserved for skill-position players. The Dukes’ "big uglies" received a good deal of the cre

dit. And respect. Even some love. The I-AA world raved about how the Dukes’ imposing front five took control of the trenches in the second half of a 31-21 win against Montana. But despite the recognition of great play, only a handful of fans outside of Harrisonburg, Virginia could recite the names Jamaal Crowder, George Burns, Leon Steinfeld, Matt Magerko and Corey Davis.

Of course, sparse attention from the press and fans becomes commonplace for offensive linemen and all "non-skill" position players at all levels of football. Quarterbacks, running backs and receivers receive the accolades as they find the endzone and make the headlines. With that in mind, The Sports Network positional rankings keeps the trend going by lumping together the "lower-profile" positions.

Below is a list of the top returning I-AA players at each position, with the exception of quarterback, running back, and wide receiver (as well as tight end and fullback) which have already been evaluated. The number of players listed at each spot differs, with five players ranked at positions with one player (center, kicker, punter, return specialist), 10 at positions with two players on the field (offensive guard, offensive tackle, defensive end, defensive tackle, cornerback and safety) and 20 players ranked at linebacker.


http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/misc/extrapoint.htm

Great job again by Dougherty!

Looking forward to the season!

[Cocky]

Plus:

Furman and JMU QBs were ranked and JMU had a RB ranked. The rich get richer.

[blueballs]

I hope this list finds its way onto the bulletin boards at Ironworks (GSU's weightroom) and the Paulson home lockerroom.

I hope the following individuals read this daily and take it to heart:

Lance Wayne- C- Many will tell you he's the best o-lineman on the team, even better than Motte, ask GSU's FB's how good he is.

Terrence McBride-CB- 3 year starter all conference rarely has anything thrown his way. Ask Richie Williams how good McBride is.

Teddy Craft- WR/RS- electric return man and a big play waiting to happen. How many plays of over 20 yards has he had in the last 2 years? About 30?

Jonathan Dudley-PK- didn't miss a FG in 2004 and has a cannon on KO's.

[Hansel]

Is that a typo or did Mont St actually avg 433 yards of rushing a game last year ???

[GOKATS]

Is that a typo or did Mont St actually avg 433 yards of rushing a game last year ???

It's total yardage, not rushing.

[Josh]

I hope this list finds its way onto the bulletin boards at Ironworks (GSU's weightroom) and the Paulson home lockerroom.

I hope the following individuals read this daily and take it to heart:

Lance Wayne- C- Many will tell you he's the best o-lineman on the team, even better than Motte, ask GSU's FB's how good he is.

Terrence McBride-CB- 3 year starter all conference rarely has anything thrown his way. Ask Richie Williams how good McBride is.

Teddy Craft- WR/RS- electric return man and a big play waiting to happen. How many plays of over 20 yards has he had in the last 2 years? About 30?

Jonathan Dudley-PK- didn't miss a FG in 2004 and has a cannon on KO's.

I agree on Wayne. He is a top 6 center for sure.

Mr. C doesn't agree with us though. He likes the Furman center better but to be honest I think Wayne is the best underclassman among centers this year.

I have Wayne listed as the best center in the SoCon.

Hey this year Motte is a senior and NFL prospect so let's give him props and then next year give it to Wayne.

That way GSU gets 2 different OL of the Year in the SoCon instead of one winning it twice! lol

[Brent]

Offensive Tackle
9. Tom Keresztury, Texas State (Sr., 6-6, 290) - Keresztury mans the left tackle spot for a Bobcat team that returns four of five starters on the line and almost every starter on offense.

Defensive Tackle
3. Fred Evans, Texas State (Sr., 6-5, 300) - Evans made an impact in the middle of the Bobcats’ line with 17.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks.

Punter
2. Cory Elolf, Texas State (Sr., 6-1, 175) - Elolf posted a second consecutive solid season with a 41.7 average on 54 punts


Im very surprised he left off Texas State safety, Epsilon Williams (Jr., 5-10 205)

http://eteamz.active.com/I-AAfootball/images/txts_asu.jpg

[kats89]

Could be a sleeper for the Buchanan. His is a 4.5-4.6 guy.

6. Markus Mikulec, Sam Houston State (Sr., 6-2, 245) - Mikulec recorded more than 100 tackles for the second year in a row, and sits eighth on SHSU’s career tackle list with 248.


http://www.gobearkats.com/football/pics/front_fb_51.jpg


K 18 Lance Garner 6-0 185 Sr

Garner, a junior from Copperas Cove, led the Southland Conference in scoring with 105 points including 16 field goals and a perfect 57 of 57 on extra point attempts.

http://www.gobearkats.com/football/pics/aa_garner.jpg


I am suprised he wasn't mention as one of the top 3 kickers. He was on the Sports Network All-American team as well at Dopke.com All-American Squad last year.

[Baldy]

I hope this list finds its way onto the bulletin boards at Ironworks (GSU's weightroom) and the Paulson home lockerroom.

I hope the following individuals read this daily and take it to heart:

Lance Wayne- C- Many will tell you he's the best o-lineman on the team, even better than Motte, ask GSU's FB's how good he is.

Terrence McBride-CB- 3 year starter all conference rarely has anything thrown his way. Ask Richie Williams how good McBride is.

Teddy Craft- WR/RS- electric return man and a big play waiting to happen. How many plays of over 20 yards has he had in the last 2 years? About 30?

Jonathan Dudley-PK- didn't miss a FG in 2004 and has a cannon on KO's.

Hey, don't forget Marcello Estrada, he's already unseated All SoCon LG Travlis Sims and has yet to play a live snap of college ball.

There's no doubt that the OL will be our strength this year which should do nothing but bolster our running game and help with the inexperience we have at the QB position.

[Josh]

Could be a sleeper for the Buchanan. His is a 4.5-4.6 guy.

6. Markus Mikulec, Sam Houston State (Sr., 6-2, 245) - Mikulec recorded more than 100 tackles for the second year in a row, and sits eighth on SHSU’s career tackle list with 248.


http://www.gobearkats.com/football/pics/front_fb_51.jpg


K 18 Lance Garner 6-0 185 Sr

Garner, a junior from Copperas Cove, led the Southland Conference in scoring with 105 points including 16 field goals and a perfect 57 of 57 on extra point attempts.

http://www.gobearkats.com/football/pics/aa_garner.jpg


I am suprised he wasn't mention as one of the top 3 kickers. He was on the Sports Network All-American team as well at Dopke.com All-American Squad last year.

Actually he is up to 253 pounds now. He is solid and I am certainly going to be watching out for it.

[mikebigg]

Offensive Tackles

2. Jonathan Banks, Grambling State (Sr., 6-8, 360) - The mammoth Banks returns at left tackle for a Tigers line that boasts three players over 350 pounds.

Big Jon has so much talent...sometimes it looks too easy for him. Good jab off the ball and good footwork to go along with great mass and strength. Dominates on ocassion but paces himself at times... I look for him to have a strong senior campaign and push himself up into the early rounds. If he has a big game against Washington State to kick start a good season, he has a good shot.

Kinda surprised that Defensive Tackle Leonard Patten wasn't listed. He missed last season to academics hours and not an injury. He was awesome
in spring camp and had some good matchups with Banks in drills.

Our kick return tandem of Landry Carter and Keatwon Gray finished high in last season kick return stats.

[kats89]

Actually he is up to 253 pounds now. He is solid and I am certainly going to be watching out for it.

Yes he has put on a few more pounds. He looked VERY good at the spring game. 205 tackles, 18 for a loss the last two years. I think UH and Texas Tech are going to be suprised by his lateral speed to the corners. He absolutely blew up RB's on a regular basis last year when they were trying to get around the edge.